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Massimo helps me get Boyd to the SUV and into the front passenger seat.

I get in the back with Lea and hold her hand.

I’m still worried about Boyd, but he seems to be in good spirits, despite having a bullet lodged in his stomach.

He even cracks a few jokes while we’re bouncing across the desert and he’s in obvious pain.

I lean forward and put a hand on his shoulder, wishing I could be closer to him.

Lea and I fill Massimo and Boyd in on everything we know. Everything Arthur Dykstra told us. They listen, but don’t say much. Cadence calls Massimo again and they talk for a few minutes, then Massimo calls Dante. I overhear enough to know it’s about the dead man’s switch.

“Was Cadence able to locate it?” I ask curiously. “The dead man’s switch?”

“No, but the group she recommended got into Solitude’s servers,” Massimo says. “They wiped everything. Dead man’s switch, all their files, even some shit they were working on for the Russian government.”

“Good,” I mutter, letting out a sigh of relief. One less thing to worry about.

The battle is over by the time we get back to Salvalagio. Solitude’s mercenaries abandoned the Bratva once the Morandi family got the upper hand, and then it was like shooting fish in a barrel, according to Emilio.

“There will be a party tonight,” Boyd says, glancing back. “Got a pretty dress to wear for me?”

“You’re not going to a party,” I reply. “The only place you’re going is the infirmary.”

“I’ll be fine,” Boyd chuckles, then he coughs and groans. “Okay, maybe I’m better off in the infirmary for now.”

We all make our way to the infirmary once we get inside Salvalagio. Massimo insists on having the doctors check Lea and me first. Once he gets confirmation that his wife is fine, and there’s no danger to the baby, he moves on to check on the rest of his men.

I’m dehydrated, but otherwise fine. The drugs they gave us have already worked their way through my system and I didn’t sustain any injuries, other than some scrapes on my ankle where I pulled against the chain.

Boyd needs surgery to remove the bullet, so I’m tense for a while, until the doctor confirms he’s going to be fine.

Cadence and Lea stay with me, and Cadence catches us up on everything she did for the Morandi family, but I barely pay attention.

I’m too worried about Boyd, and I’m by his side as soon as his eyes open.

“Fuck, I’m dead, aren’t I?” he groans. “Cause all I see is an angel.”

“Stop it!” I can’t help but laugh, then I carefully hug him. “The doctor says you’re going to be fine. As tough as you look, were his exact words.”

“Another scar,” Boyd sighs, looking at his wound. “It’ll match the others.”

“Like the ones on your leg? I left you alone and you ripped your stitches out?” I ask, trying to glare at him, but I’m so happy he’s safe I can’t stop smiling.

“I was too worried about you to care about myself,” he groans.

I stay by Boyd’s side, even as the hours pass, and everyone else departs the infirmary except the other patients and those who stay with them.

The pain pills help him get some rest. I doze off, mostly from pure exhaustion, but it’s not very peaceful.

Every time I wake up, I have to check and make sure Boyd’s still breathing.

By morning, the pills have worn off, and when the doctor makes his rounds, he clears Boyd to go home. Boyd is a lot more excited about it than I am.

“I know the doctor said you could leave, but are you sure you shouldn’t stay another day?” I ask hesitantly. “You’re still in bad shape.”

“Not as bad as you think. I’m already feeling a lot better,” he says, sitting up. “I’d much rather be home than laid up in bed here. Just hate that we missed the party. Feel like I should have said a few words, for the ones who didn’t make it.”

“I’m sure Massimo gave a fine speech,” I sigh, helping Boyd get up from the bed. “I’d feel better if you stayed here where the doctor could look after you if there are any issues.”

“There won’t be,” he insists. “Not my first bullet, little girl. Besides, I’m sure you’re eager to get back. Dante’s men found Arthur Dykstra, hiding in the barracks at the military base. Don’t you want to do a podcast? Tell the world what you’ve learned about that asshole?”

I look down and shake my head. “No, I think I’m done with podcasting. For a while, at least. It was fun and exciting when it wasn’t happening all around me.”

“You know, you’re pretty good at investigating stuff like that. Figuring things out, even when you aren’t trying to get exclusives for your listeners,” Boyd says, holding onto the wall as I help him get dressed. “Morandi family could use someone like you.”

“Hmm.” I ponder it then shake my head. “I don’t know about that.”

“At least consider it,” Boyd urges, grimacing as he puts on his shirt. He pats the pocket and groans. “Shit, I must have lost my cigarettes in the desert.”

“I had one of Massimo’s guys pick up a few of these for me while you were in surgery,” I say, opening my purse and offering him a vape. “But if you need the real thing, we can stop on the way home.”

“No, this is perfect,” he chuckles, taking the vape. “I’ve been doing good with them, but I broke my last one. Got some news I didn’t like about the woman I love.”

“Well, she’s right here.” I smile and lean against him. “Let’s go home, Big Boyd.”

“You’re not going to nurse me back to health and run off, are you?” he asks as we walk to the door. “Now that all of this is over, and you’re done with your podcast?”

“No,” I say with more conviction than ever. “I’m not going anywhere.”

I came to Las Vegas, trying to figure out what I was going to do with my life.

Now I know.

I’m there .